15 Must-Have Picnic Desserts for Summer

Apple Slab Pie

Pies are a classic picnic favorite, but they can be difficult to transport and serve. Why not opt for a slab pie? It’s the same delicious pie you love, but baked in a shallow pan for easy slicing and serving. Simply pre-slice and enjoy without the hassle of traditional pie dishes at your picnic.

Cheesecake Jars

These adorable, portable cheesecake jars are perfect for summer. Easy to fill, chill, and stack, they offer endless possibilities for customizing with your favorite cheesecake flavors and fresh fruit. Choose a jar shape that fits your cooler, keeping them cool until it’s time to enjoy them with friends.

• You might also like Key Lime and Raspberry Pies in Jars.

Rich Chocolate Cupcakes

Transporting cupcakes to a picnic can be a challenge, especially without a special carrier to protect them from smooshing. But who wants to deal with an extra bulky item? These no-frosting cupcakes are the perfect solution. With a rich cheesecake center, they’re indulgent enough to skip the frosting, yet still stackable and easy to pack. If your cupcakes are on the moist side, place a layer of waxed or parchment paper between them to keep them intact.

• These easy tips help you bake cupcakes like a pro.

Brookies (Brownie Cookies)

Brownies and cookies are a go-to for picnic desserts, and for good reason. They're delicious, comforting, and easy to bake in large quantities, making them ideal for packing. For best results, opt for recipes that skip the gooey toppings and frostings to avoid any mess or stickiness during transport.

• Browse our entire collection of brownie recipes.

Watermelon Cookie

Why choose these cookies from the countless options on Dinogo? Because they’re irresistibly cute, shaped like little watermelon slices! Perfect for a picnic, don’t you think?

Fruity Fun Skewers

Take fresh fruit to a whole new level by threading it onto long bamboo skewers. Choose fruits that stay firm and colorful, like grapes, melon, berries, and pineapple. Serve with a sweet fruit dip, and you’ve got a fun, handheld dessert ready for any picnic.

Blueberry Crumb Bars

Bars are the perfect picnic dessert to make in large batches and slice up for easy serving. 'These are amazing! Best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting on top. The crust and crumb topping remain crisp even days later. I used fresh blueberries the first and third time, and black raspberries the second time,' shares Darcy.

Easy Fruit Cobbler

Heading to a picnic and want a fuss-free cobbler? This simple recipe lets you use your favorite summer fruits—peaches, berries, or cherries—and takes just 15 minutes to prepare. A delicious and easy treat to pack!

Fruit Salad in Seconds

We call it a salad, but let’s be honest—this strawberry yogurt-coated fruit is basically a (healthy) dessert in disguise.

Melt In Your Mouth Blueberry Cake

'This cake is so tender—one of my mom's classic recipes. It's perfect for picnics,' says IRENED. Mary Ann Liptak agrees, adding, 'I usually don’t try new recipes for a party, but I had so many fresh blueberries that I decided to give this one a shot. It turned out amazing—moist, not dry or mushy like other blueberry cakes I’ve tried. Stick to the recipe and it’ll come out great. Prep time is more like 45 minutes.'

Peach Financiers

'There are many ways to make financiers, but I’ve gone with the simplest method. This recipe works wonderfully with almost any summer fruit, like berries or stone fruits. Keep in mind, the fruit is more of a garnish, so don’t overdo it. These little cakes are rich, buttery, and incredibly moist,' says Chef John.

Apple Hand Pies

Everyone will love the convenience of individual, grab-and-go hand pies instead of dealing with a whole pie. No need for plates or forks! To make these pies extra cute, use a cookie cutter to shape the dough into stars or circles. Add a tablespoon of filling to half of the cut-outs, top with the other half, crimp the edges with a fork, cut steam vents, and bake until golden brown.

• You might also like Shelly Hospitality's Blueberry Turnover Hand Pies.

Guyanese Lime Cookies

'An exceptional, refreshing, and one-of-a-kind cookie. The lime and nutmeg flavors blend beautifully together, even though I typically don’t care for nutmeg. The combination creates a surprisingly delicious taste.' — naples34102

Raspberry and Strawberry Buckle

A summer dessert should capture both the flavor and feel of the season. For this simple buckle (a cobbler-style dessert with a cake-like texture), use the best strawberries and raspberries of summer. 'This was amazing. Most of the people I served it to had never heard of a buckle, but I quickly turned them into buckle fans. It’s the perfect balance of tart and sweet.' — JESSTAG

Mango Squares

Bar cookies are one of the easiest make-ahead picnic desserts. 'I had just enough dried mango and cherries left in the bag to make this recipe, so I tossed them in. The result was a flavorful, baked bar cookie.' — lutzflcat

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• Browse Our Entire Collection of Summer Dessert Recipes